Which team had the worst record in NCAA history yet went on to make it into the tournament?

Answer 1

In 1961 the Colonials of George Washington University made the NCAA tournament with a 9-16 record. George Washington holds the distinction of having the worst regular season record to have made the NCAA Tournament. To date, no team with a worse regular season record has qualified.

Here are the worst six teams (by winning percentage) to make the NCAA tournament. Note - each team was seeded last in their region and lost in the First Round.

• 0.360 - 1961 George Washington (9-16) Loss 84-67 vs Princeton
• 0.379 - 1995 Florida International (11-18) Loss 92-56 vs UCLA
• 0.379 - 1996 Central Florida (11-18) Loss 92-70 vs Massachusetts
• 0.379 - 1997 Fairfield (11-18) Loss 82-74 vs North Carolina
• 0.400 - 1999 Florida A&M (12-18) Loss 99-58 vs Duke
• 0.400 - 2005 Oakland, Mich (12-18) Loss 96-68 vs North Carolina

In perhaps the best performance ever by the worst tourney team, the 16th seed Stags of Fairfield University nearly defeated Dean Smith and his #1 seed North Carolina Tarheels 82-74 in the 1997 NCAA Men's Basketball East Regionals. The Stags held a 37-28 lead early in the 2nd half.

Answer 2

In 2008 Coppin State University won the MEAC conference tournament, Their overall record for the season was 16-20 with four wins coming in the conference tourney. The team was the first 20 LOSS team to make it to the tourney. Although they did end up losing the opening round game to Mount St. Mary's 69-60.

Answer 3

Western Kentucky (automatic bid) with a record 0f 15-18 is the worst record by a team in the dance in over 10 years!